* Coverage of both physical and human geography in Year 1 with the opportunity to become more specialised in Years 2 and 3 * Focus on the development of transferable, employment-related skills and knowledge * Investigation of contemporary issues at a range of scales from local to global * UK residential fieldwork alongside opportunities for overseas fieldwork in Years 2 and 3 * Use of the latest technological innovations in both classroom and fieldwork contexts, including mobile devices * A wide variety of assessment types * Combines well with Natural Hazard Management and International Development Studies as well as a wide range of non-geography subjects Geography today is so much more than the study of places and capital cities. It is about the dynamic interplay of processes that shape our world and its peoples - encompassing everything from the surface and subsurface processes that model our physical landscape, to the social, economic, cultural and political forces that mould the societies in which we live. Geographers at Chester are as likely to be sieving soils and sediments or studying cultural interpretations of landscape in a tourist brochure, as to be using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to plan a market research campaign or map the carbon footprint of a rural community. All this ensures that the knowledge and skills of our students are of relevance to today's employment needs and makes Geography a popular degree with a wide range of employers.

* * Coverage of both physical and human geography in Year 1 with the opportunity to become more specialised in Years 2 and 3 * Focus on the development of transferable, employment-related skills and knowledge * Investigation of contemporary issues at a range of scales from local to global * UK residential fieldwork alongside opportunities for overseas fieldwork in Years 2 and 3 * Use of the latest technological innovations in both classroom and fieldwork contexts, including mobile devices * A wide variety of assessment types * Combines well with Natural Hazard Management and International Development Studies as well as a wide range of non-geography subjects Geography today is so much more than the study of places and capital cities. It is about the dynamic interplay of processes that shape our world and its peoples - encompassing everything from the surface and subsurface processes that model our physical landscape, to the social, economic, cultural and political forces that mould the societies in which we live. Geographers at Chester are as likely to be sieving soils and sediments or studying cultural interpretations of landscape in a tourist brochure, as to be using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to plan a market research campaign or map the carbon footprint of a rural community. All this ensures that the knowledge and skills of our students are of relevance to today's employment needs and makes Geography a popular degree with a wide range of employers. .................................................................................................................................. > Geography and Development Studies .................................................................................................................................. You study 60 credits in Geography in your first two years, and up to 80 credits in the final year - the majority in modules which run from October through to April/May. The choice between - and within - your Geography modules increases through the three years of your degree, allowing you to specialise to suit your interests and career aspirations. Year 1 (Level 4) This year is designed to give you a balanced introduction to key geographical knowledge and skills. You study modules in three core areas: * Introduction to Physical Geography and Geology (20 credits) * Introduction to Human Geography (20 credits) * Foundations for Successful Studentship (20 credits) The latter is designed to help you make an effective transition into your higher education studies and includes a residential field course based in Mid-Wales to develop foundation field and laboratory skills. Year 2 (Level 5) This year gives you the opportunity to progress to more specialist work. You take modules in two core areas: * A choice between Themes in Physical Geography or Exploring Human Geography (40 credits) * Researcher Development – which enhances field and laboratory methods in human or physical geography, before designing your final year Dissertation research project (20 credits) In the summer term several opportunities are available for all students to take part in work-based or experiential learning: * A six week Work Based Learning placement. This can relate to your geographical interests (e.g. work for an environmental body, local authority), or explore a specific career path (e.g. the police, teaching, town planning) * Our Fieldwork Applications experiential learning module involves a trip to either Spain or New York for you to develop you research skills in either a physical or human geography area. * Our optional Norway Expedition at the end of Year 2, for students interested in completing a final year Dissertation on a glacial/climate change theme Year 3 (Level 6) In Year 3 Combined Honours Geography students have the option to major in Geography (80 credits), minor in Geography (40 credits), or to continue to study your two subjects in equal proportions (60 credits each). Combined Honours students majoring in Geography complete a Geography Dissertation (extended project in human or physical geography) on a topic of your choice. The remaining modules at Year 3 are a selection of taught options reflecting the research interests of the lecturers and the diversity of the subject. Currently these include: * Techniques-oriented modules (e.g. Climate Change: Recent Record and Future Prospects) * Studies of regional areas (e.g. Emerging Nations: China and India) * Systematic studies covering various areas of specialist geographical enquiry (e.g. City & Countryside: Trends and Prospects, Excluded Peoples: Migrants and Refugees, and Sustainable Futures). Most final year modules involve collaboration with external agencies/practitioners in course delivery and assessment. .................................................................................................................................. > Geography and Development Studies .................................................................................................................................. Next: Assessment Assessment is through a combination of examination and continuous (coursework) assessment. The department engages in a wide variety of innovative and imaginative coursework assignments, from podcasting, oral presentations and posters to briefing papers, consultancy reports and essays. You are prepared for these assignments through a combination of lectures, workshop practicals, seminars, tutorials, group projects, fieldwork, laboratory work and online digital resources - as well as through one-to-one work with tutors in the case of dissertations and individual project work. As you progress in your studies you will increasingly learn through independent research outside the classroom. Year 1 * Assessment: The majority of modules use a 50:50 examination/coursework assessment pattern * Teaching: The actual mix varies with topic. A typical module involves two-three hours contact per week (1 hour lecture and 1-2 hours practical) Year 2 * Assessment: Approximately 60% of all assessment is through coursework * Teaching: The norm is a two-hour session per week with a mix of lectures and practicals Year 3 * Assessment: Up to 80% of assessment derives from coursework * Teaching: The norm is a two-hour session per week with a mix of lectures and practicals Your final degree is calculated on the basis of results from your second (33% of the overall final mark) and third (67%) years of study. .................................................................................................................................. > Geography and Development Studies .................................................................................................................................. Next: Careers The course will prepare you for a wide range of jobs including: Jobs directly related to your degree: * Cartographer * Environmental consultant * Geographical information systems officer * Planning and development surveyor * Secondary school teacher * Town planner * Commercial/residential surveyor Jobs where your degree would be useful: * Logistics and distribution manager * International aid/development worker * Market researcher * Transport planner You will be equipped with transferable skills which are valued by employers such as: * collecting and analysing information; * problem solving; * decision making; * critically interpreting data and text; * developing a reasoned argument; * numerical skills; * team working; * planning skills; * presenting oral and written arguments and information; * communication; * ICT. If you are studying this course on a combined basis you should look at options with both subjects. For further information please visit: www.chester.ac.uk/careers